Abstracts Posters SICOT-SOF meeting Gothenburg 2010 _2_

Poster
Topic: Arthroplasty – Hand / Wrist
Abstract number: 23832
INTERPOSITION ARTHROPLASTY OF THE 1ST CARPAL-METACARPAL JOINT
USING SUTURE ANCHOR AND POLYDIOXANONE RIBBON.
Steven BORLAND, Mohan RAO, John FRASER
South Tyneside Hospital, South Shields (UNITED KINGDOM)
Background: Osteoarthritis of the 1st CMCJ is common and there are a number of
procedures described to deal with it. We describe a technique used in our practice
and evaluate the outcomes. Methods: We performed a total of 5 operations in 4
patients using this technique. All patients had preoperative levels of arthritis of grade
3 on the Eaton classification. A trapeziectomy is performed. We create a osteotomy
in the base of the 1st metacarpal. We then insert a suture anchor into the scaphoid.
We take a length of polydioxanone ribbon and use this as a sling between the two
bones. The excess ribbon is then packed lightly into the space vacated by the
trapezium. At follow up of at least 2 years we reassessed patients and asked them to
complete a DASH questionnaire detailing their symptoms before and after the
surgery. We also measured clinical position of the digits and assessed pinch grip.
Results: There was a significant improvement in DASH scores in these patients
Average score preoperatively was 133.4. Average score at follow up was 69.7.Pinch
grip was found to be good and the contour of the base of the thumb was maintained
with no complaints of instability. Conclusions: This is a short case series, however
our results here are promising and we suggest that this procedure may be useful in
providing extra stability to the base of thumb after a trapeziectomy and may aid in the
initial rehabilitation of the patient.
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